Top five wicket-takers in T20 cricket
Picking up wickets in the Twenty20 cricket might not be as easy as one expects, especially when batters are trying to take on the bowlers all the time. At times, the bowlers do get lucky in this format when batsmen miss a big shot or make an error in shot selection. But to be able to pick hundreds of wickets, the bowler needs to develop a certain speciality. It could be a variation, pace of delivery or even the bowling action which could make the batters really uncomfortable.
Here are the top five wicket-takers in Twenty20s:
5. Sohail Tanvir – 356:
Sohail Tanvir is currently the 5th highest wicket-taker in T20 format as he went past Shakib Al Hasan’s tally of 354 wickets in the ongoing CPL. Pakistan pacer’s interesting bowling action does make batsmen uncomfortable especially when they face him for the first time. Tanvir has been quite effective with his left-arm bowling especially in delivering cutters.
4. Imran Tahir – 380:
Imran Tahir, the Pakistan-born South African International, made his debut in the Twenty20 format in 2006 itself. He was part of the Pakistan domestic circuit for a decent period before getting an opportunity with the Proteas. He has taken 380 wickets at a strike rate of 16.9 and an average of 19.63.
3. Sunil Narine – 384:
The West Indies all-rounder, Sunil Narine is the most prolific spin bowler in Twenty20 cricket. He has taken 384 wickets which are the most for any spinner in the format. The off-spinner was known for his tricks with the ball which were eventually limited post a change in bowling action. Alongside being a strike bowler, Narine has conceded runs at an economy of 6.01 only.
2. Lasith Malinga – 390:
Lasith Malinga stands 2nd in the list of players with most T20 wickets but his impact in this format is far more than that. Malinga has taken 390 wickets from 295 matches at a strike rate of 16.6 only. The Sri Lankan pacer holds the record for most 5-wicket hauls in the format (5) and also has the most number of 4-wicket hauls (15) in T20s. His slinging action and accuracy in shooting yorkers have reflected his career numbers.
1. Dwayne Bravo – 506:
Dwayne Bravo became the first player in the Twenty20 format to claim 500 wickets in the ongoing CPL. Bravo was the first player to breach the milestones of 300 wickets and 400 wickets in T20s as well. The all-rounder from Trinidad has made the slower ball his strength as the batters struggled to get going with his slow-paced balls especially in the death overs.
Stats updated till September 7, 2020
